Athletic EDGE Whitfield Powell commits to Colorado State

FORT COLLINS — Following the spring game Jay Norvell expressed the need for Colorado State to get more athletic at linebacker.

“We need to run better,” Norvell said. “We like our backers to be able to run and make plays.”

On Friday the Rams got one step closer to their goal with a verbal commitment from Whitfield Powell, a 6-foot-4, 211-pound edge rusher out of Austin, Texas.

Pumped. #ramily @CoachJayNorvell @coach_buddha @CoachChadSavage @CoachBanks13 @csurecruiting @CSUFootball @CoachVang @DNVR_Rams @CoachMattMumme @cjcxfl @CJRecruiting99 pic.twitter.com/A4Zwek3q8b
— Whitefield "Whit" Powell (@WhitPowell17) July 8, 2022

In addition to starring on the gridiron, like many of CSU’s 2023 recruits, Powell has also made a name for himself via track & field. According to his Twitter profile, Powell was a district champion in the 100 meters.

Based on Powell’s Hudl film from his junior season, it’s easy to see what intrigues the staff about this athletic prospect. Powell is an absolute missile going downhill and he’s able to get the QB with ease in pass rush situations. He shows the ability to be impactful against the run as well, particularly with how much ground that he is able to cover. And although it’s a small sample size, I like that Powell appears to play with a bit of nastiness. He wraps players up and brings them down with authority.

According to 247Sports, in addition to CSU, Powell holds offers from Arizona, Penn and Washington State. Powell took his official visit to CSU back on June 17.

With Powell’s commitment, CSU now has verbals from high school prospects from 12 different states. Although 247Sports does not have every commitment listed yet, the Rams currently have the second-highest rated recruiting class in the conference, trailing only San Diego State and coming in just ahead of Boise State. On3.com, however, ranks Colorado State’s 2023 class as the best in the Mountain West, ahead of Boise State and San Diego State, respectively.